New Super Mario Bros. 2 arrives in Europe on 17th August and will be the first retail download title on 3DS eShop. While this is already underway in Japan and Nintendo of America has revealed details of its distribution, Nintendo of Europe has been relatively quiet on its own plans.

In a press release today it's been confirmed that eShop retail downloads in Europe will earn double the normal Club Nintendo stars for four weeks after launch, which is great for those that particularly enjoy Nintendo-themed folders, playing cards or real-life Mario Kart 7 trophies. It won't just be New Super Mario Bros. 2 in the eShop from 17th August, but also Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! and New Art Academy, which were retail releases in Europe alongside 3DS XL on 28th July.

The same statement says that many more 3DS games are on the way, without any details, while pricing hasn't been formally confirmed; previous comments from Nintendo suggest that the downloads will be at the full retail price. Are you tempted to download any of these next week?

Welsh ex-pat Tom is responsible for the day-to-day running of the site. He's the guy to thank for the generally brilliant nature of the content which massages your eyeballs on a daily basis. Also has an unhealthy obsession with all things Bowser.